Pulled a cold water/warmwater double header today. Fished the TT section of the Codorus from daybreak until around 9:00. Fish were going crazy on top, but I couldn't see anything coming off (most risers were in the slower pools). Put on a parachute adams and immediately picked up three in the first section of stream. Had a long-distance-release of another really nice fish (17" +). Worked upstream alternating between the adams and a BHPT size 14. Caught a total of 10-12 mostly in the 6-10 inch range. It was a beautiful summer morning with the fog on the stream slowly lifting as the sun came up through the trees. The splash of rising fish completed the scene.

I then headed over to the Conewago to chase some smallies. Had to wait about 20 mins. for a shower to pass, but it gave me time to rig up my 6 wt. Tied on a black bunny clouser and hit the water. Right away I saw scattering baitfish all over the place. I don't know if it was the rain, or the cloudy day, but the smallies were hungry and active. Hooked up within the first few casts and the action continued steadily for the next hour and a half. It seemed like every spot that should hold a fish did. I had one jump completely out of the water 3 times for a black popper. This is the first time this year that I've been out for smallies, and I forgot how much fun they are! Ended up with about 15 in the short time I was out. Looking forward to getting out again soon.

Those browns look fairly consistent with what I catch in there as well. I'm sure there are larger, but generally speaking, I haven't found them yet. It's hard to get the big boys to come out of their hiding spots while nymphing and I haven't had a lot of luck streamer fishing that stream.

Okay...so what makes it a trophy trout water? Should I not assume that the browns are larger? I see those browns, and then I see the size of the trout that are caught consistently on the Lack, big difference!

You are right about that, I think I only caught one "trophy" trout on that water and it was a rainbow to boot. I've caught many ranging from 2" to 11" but mostly 5-6 inches. Those big browns must have found some good hiding places.

The Codorus Trophy Trout designation arrived at by the PF&BC when the special regulation reduction occurred in the early "2000's". It was originally under selective Harvest regulations allowing for harvest of browns over 12" and Brooks over I believe 9". The Brooks are gone now...

Trophy Trout regulations were the only "fit" for harvest restrictions that also allowed artificial lures and excluded stocking. (which the codorus does not need since its a Class A wild Trout Stream.

Harvest does indeed occur there as well as the use of bait.. Though I am pretty sure the actors are stealthy but sloppy in their techniques. They leave styrofoam bait containers lying on the gravel bars of the big holes. Local Kids mostly...just enjoying a day on the water.

Back when I was semi-retired I used to fish it during the week and was assured a 1/2 dozen to a dozen dish in a couple hours fishing short beats. It got to the point that it became a pitch and putt. A birdie would be a 12+" fish in an undercut bank or tree root hole. You had to weed through the small "Sentry" fish at the backs of the holes to get to the big fish feeding in the riffles.

One day working a familiar beat I did everything right. and could not find the "pool bosses" in four consecutive holes...I was confused but also surprised at the amount of footprints on the gravel point bars adjacent to the holes. Then I got to the last hole and the on the gravel bar were two empty worm containers...

Posted on: 2013/7/13 11:20

_________________Don't hit me with them negative waves so early in the morning. Think the bridge will be there and it will be there. It's a mother, beautiful bridge, and it's gonna be there. Ok?

Not to mention, some of the "good" water upstream of the sawmill is now posted.

There isn't a lot of water in that area for trout fishing and the Codorus' proximity to roadways probably makes it a tempting target. I'd love to see an electroshocking survery done to see exactly what's in there. I'd be surprised if there are many "trophy trout" in that stream, although I do believe there are probably some 14-18" fish that know how to hide well. Generally speaking, if you're catching wild browns in the 6-10" range, you're catching what most of us are.